Amsterdam Business Forum 2026
Amsterdam Business Forum 2026: People Centered Leadership
Leadership today is no longer defined by performance and results alone. With AI taking over routine tasks, it’s clearer than ever: the true value of organizations lies in people - their creativity, resilience, and humanity. That is why we need People Centered Leadership - leaders who put people back at the heart of organizations.
At Amsterdam Business Forum 2026, you’ll discover what this new kind of leadership looks like! 6 amazing speakers will share their best insights:
✨ Ahmed Aboutaleb (NL) - Former Mayor of Rotterdam
✨ Diana Kander (UA & USA) - Serial entrepreneur & innovation expert
✨ Steven Bartlett (UK) - Entrepreneur & host of The Diary of a CEO
✨ The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern (NZ) - Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
✨ Seth Godin (USA) - Living legend in leadership and marketing
✨ Eva de Mol (NL) - Leading tech investor
✨ Ikenna Azuike (NL) - Host
Join us and learn how to lead with humanity, purpose, and impact. Because in the end, organizations don’t grow - people do.
Tickets >>
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€ 1.795,00 excl. 21% VAT
Program
Block 1 - The Human Role in Digital Organizations
Digitalization and AI are transforming organizations at lightning speed. But now more than ever, it is people who make the difference. What is the new Human Edge in this digital era?
- Diana Kander explains why curiosity is a crucial human skill AI can never replace. What daily habits can we adopt to train our curiosity muscle?
- Seth Godin shows why our uniquely human qualities - creativity, empathy, and initiative - matter even more in a world of algorithms.
Lunch break #1 (11:15 - 12:45)
Side sessions, networking and VIP session with Seth Godin (VIP ticket holders)
Block 2 - Human Leadership: Empathy over Dominance
The era of dominant leadership is over. People centered leaders are kind, connecting and compassionate. These 2 leaders walked that talk and share their vision and values.
- Ahmed Aboutaleb shows how humanity, inclusivity, and vision can guide leadership even in times of tension and polarization.
- The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern demonstrates that you can be both strong and empathetic, and that consensus often builds more lasting results than conflict.
Lunch break #2 (14:15 - 15:45)
Side sessions, networking and VIP session with Jacinda Ardern (VIP ticket holders)
Block 3 - Building Human Centered Organizations
How do you create organizations where people truly come first? How does this affect you deal with customers, with investors and with employees?
- Eva de Mol gives cutting-edge insights from innovative startups: how to build companies that use technology wisely while keeping people at the center.
- Steven Bartlett shares insights from his journey as an entrepreneur and investor on shaping culture, teams, and purpose in ways that make people want to stay, grow, and contribute. He shows how people-centered organizations not only care for their employees but also achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.
Teachers
Participants about Amsterdam Business Forum
“ Fun and inspiring forum which helped me recalibrate my leadership style in uncertain times.”
Victor Thijs, Nationale Nederlanden
"The best conference I ever attended."
Noreen Lanigan, Director Europe & North America at Bord Bia
"The Champions League of Business days"
Wim de Bundel, Author and CCO
“ A day well spent with top speakers, time to think and discuss among
Lisa Noraz, Decathlon Netherlands
attendees and a great overall set up. It really feels like we graduated from a Positive Leadership class!”
"Deep dive into magic. What an insanely impressive line-up and a well balanced program. DenkProducties is the best."
Sjoerd de Vries, Program Manager Triomph
“The atmosphere, mix of topics and speakers. Mindblowing, again!”
Patrick van der Pijl, Business Models Inc
"Hard to describe in one sentence. It was intense learning in a beautiful environment with a warm and natural atmosphere with moments of reflection and highly emotional in so many ways. It was a journey!"
Kathryn Clarke, Head of Learning and Development at Catawiki
This amazing event combines three important elements: great speakers, a high-quality audience and an outstanding production. I am extremely excited to attend.
Pieter van den Hoogenband, Chef de Mission TeamNL Paris 2024, Triple Olympic Champion
“ Awesome day with high class keynote speakers. Inspiring and already looking forward to next year.”
Kiran Madarie, NS
“This is far more than just a conference. It is the one day that inspires me, informs me, and energizes me through insights from professors, bestselling authors, leaders, and entrepreneurs. One day, one stage, featuring nothing but world-class speakers. An absolute must-join!”
Corien Niezing, Director of Communication & Reputation, Randstad Group Netherlands
Practical information
Location
Taets Art and Event Park
Middenweg 62
1505 RK Amsterdam
Extra information
